Reducing-valve.



L. M. LEWIS.

REDUCING VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.21,1914.

WITNESSES COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPM C0, WASHINGTON. U. C

UNTED STATES PATEN FFCE;

LEROY LEWIS, F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO SCHADE VALVE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATlION PENNSYLVANIA.

REDUCING-VALVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 3, 1915..

Application filed January 27, 1914. Serial No. 814,623.

T0 all cli/0m 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, LEROY M. LEWIS, a Ycitizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Philadelphia, State of Penn- Sylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reducing-Valves, of which the following is a specification.

Some of the objects of this invention are to provide an improved pressure regulating or reducingv valve, particularly adapted for controlling the pressure of steam o-r other Huid; to provide a reducing valve comprising a main valve and improved means for controlling the same; and to provide a reducing valve, including a diaphragm for controlling the same, and means for preventing the escape of an excessive amount of steam or other liuid from the valve upon the accidental breaking of the diaphragm.

A further object of this invention is to provide a reducing valve, comprising a main valve casing, inlet and outlet pipes connected thereto, a main valve in the main casing, a secondary casing, and means connected to and carried by the secondary casing and in which the secondary casing and the means connected thereto may be disconnected. from the main casing without disturbing any of the pipes connected to the main casing, and in which any one of various sizes of main casings and main valves inclosed thereby may be connected to coperate with a single size of secondary casing and the parts carried thereby.

Other objects of this invention are to provide in a reducing valve, a plurality of resilient elements forA controlling the pressure on the outlet side of the valve and means for adjusting the tension on each of said re-l silient elements, eitherl separately or in unison; and to provide in a reducing valve, an improved arrangement of relief valve.

A further object of this invention is to provide a reducing valve, comprising a main casing, a main valve inclosed thereby, inlet and outlet pipes connected to the main casing, and a secondary casing and various elements carried thereb and ecl erating with the main val-ve, anA in which t emain valve and the secondary casing and the elements carried thereby may be quickly conveniently removed from the main casing for examination, repairs, or renewal, without disturbing the inlet and outlet pipes connected to the main casing.

Further objects of this invention will appear hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figurel is a fragmentary side elevation, partially in longitudinal central section of a reducing valve constructed in accordance with this invention; Fig. 2 a transverse section of the same on line 2 2 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 a transverse section on lineB-S of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, oneembodiment of this invention comprises a hollow, approximately cylindrical main casing 10 provided upon one side thereof with a threaded inlet 11, adapted to receive a main inlet pipe 12 and upon its opposite side with a threaded outlet 13 adapted to re.- ceive a main outlet or discharge pipe 14;. The outer end of the main casing is provided with an outwardly projecting: fiat annulai1 flange 15, on the outer flat surface of which is seated a cap or bonnet l'which is rigidly and detachably clamped against the flange 15 by means of a plurality of bolts 17geXtending loosely through the cap 16 and threaded into the flange 15. The cap 16 is providedv eXteriorly and ,centrallyy with a relief valve 18 which is threaded into the cap 16 and communicates with the interior and outlet'side of the main casing through a central opening 19, therelief valve 18 loeing provided with a discharge. pipe 2,0,

For reducing the pressure of steam or other fluid which passes through the inlet pipe 12, the interior of the main casing 10 is divided into an inlet compartment 25 and an outlet .Compartment 2.6 by a transverse annular partition 27 whichY is preferably integral with the exterior Walls of' the. main Casing. The interior Side Walls, 28 and 29 .of these two compartments are preferably Substantially cylindrical in' Shane and arranged; coaxially,y

Withinthe inlet @mentent 25 and .ser

axial therewith, is arranged a piston valve or main valve 35 which is preferably substantially circular in cross-section throughout its length and the outer portion of which is preferably slightlyv enlarged and provided with an external cylindrical surface 36 coaxial therewith, which ts snugly but slidably against a-corresponding internal cylindrical surface provided therefor on the inner end of a stationary rigid sleeve 37, the outer end of which is threaded over an inwardly projecting annular portion 38 of the cap 16. The interior portion of this sleeve 37 which lies between the outer end of the piston valve 35 and the annular portion 38 ofthe cap is slightly cut away as at 40 to avoid contact with the cylindrical surface 36 of the piston valve, as the piston valve is reciprocated.

The inner portion of the main valve 35 is preferably surrounded close to its inner end by an annularv collar or projection 45 preferably integral therewith and the outer surface of the piston valve tapers inwardly from the collar 45 to form a conical bearing surface 46 which is arranged to engage uniformly against an annular stationary seat 47 which is threaded into the transverse partition 27 and the inner wall of which surrounds a central aperture 48. Within the piston valve 35 and coaxial therewith is a tubular hub 50 which extends from a point between the two ends of the valve, and spaced slightly inwardly from the outer end of the valve, to a point spaced outwardly from the inner end of the valve, and which is provided approximately midway between its ends with a web 51 integral therewith and which is connected to and integral with the inner end of the piston valve 35. This web is provided withv a plurality of 4apertures 52 to permit the interior of the piston valve 35 to communicate through the central opening 48 with the outlet compartment 26. The exterior surface of the inner "portion of the hub 50 is cylindrical in shape and lits snugly but slidably in a cylindrical bearing 55 which is arranged within the outlet compartment and which is connected to the annular valve seat 47 by a plurality of arms 56, the bearing 55 and the arms 56 forming a spider which is preferably integral with the annular valve seat 47.

For reciprocating the valve 35 longitudinally, a valve stem 60 extends loosely through the hub 50 and is provided with a removable collar 61 having a lconical inner surface which bears against the inner end of the hub 50 and with a nut 62 threaded upon the outer end of the valve stem and provided with an inner conical surface which bears against the outer end of the hub 50. The collar 61 is` held rigidly in place by a cotter pin 63 extending through the collar and the stem 60,k and the collar 61 may be -removed from the stem'upon the removal of the cotter pin, the interior diameter of the collar being of about the same diameter as the diameter of the stem. The nut 62 may be similarly secured in place by a cotter pin 64. The valve stem 60 passes loosely through a central aperture 65 provided therefor in the inner end of the main casing 10.

For automatically reciprocating the valve stem 60 to move the piston valve 35 toward or away from its seat 47, a secondary casing '75 and coperating elements carried thereby are provided. rlhis secondary casing 75 is substantially cylindrical and of comparatively small diameter ythroughout the greater portion of its length and is provided with a longitudinal central substantially cylindrical aperture 76 passing therethrough and through which passes the major portion of the valve stem 60, the secondary casing being preferably arranged coaxially with the valve stem. l rThe inner portion of the secondary casing' is enlarged to provide a flat annular flange 77, the inner surface of which is in the form of a flat annular seat I8 coaxial therewith which fits snugly against a corresponding flat annular seat provided therefor on the inner end of the main casing 10, and the inner end of the secondary casing is provided with a cylindrical projection 79 coaxial therewith which. fits snugly in a corresponding recess provided'therefor in the inner end of the main casing 10. The secondary casing is clamped rigidly but removably against the main casing 10 by means of a plurality of bolts 8O which extend loosely through the flange 77 of the secondary casing and are threaded into the inner end of the main casing 10. An annular bearing 85, of brass or other antifriction metal or suitable material, may be threaded into the inner end of the secondary casing around the valve stem 60 and arranged to engage' in a f recess provided therefor in the inner end of the main casing 10. The inner diameter of this bearing 85 is preferably slightly larger than the diameter of the valve stem 60.

To provide a. suitable diaphragm chamber, or controlling pressure chamber, the outer end of the secondary casing 75 is enlarged and flared to form an outwardly facing cup 90 which is provided with a substantially flat annular marginal flange 91 integral therewith the outer flat surface of which, is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the secondary casing 75. Coperating with thiscup 90 is a cupped cap 92 provided with a flat marginal flange 93 of the same diameter as and arranged parallel to and in alinement with the flange 91 of the cup 90. Arranged between the two flanges 91 and 93 is a circular diaphragm ist 95 of rubber or other suitable material which is clamped securely between the flanges 91 and 93 by means of bolts 9 6 extending loosely through apertures provided therefor in the flanges 91 and 93 and in the diaphragm 95, each bolt being provided at one end with a head 97 and at its other end with a nut 98.

For reciprocating the valve stem 60 a stud 100 is threaded over the outer end of the valve stem 60 and is provided with a reduced threaded extension 101. which projects loosely through a central aperture provided therefor in the diaphragm 95 and terminates normally at a point approximately within an aperture 102 provided therefor in the cap 92. Loosely surrounding this threaded extension 101 and bearing against the outer surface of the diaphragm 95 is a circular' diaphragm plate or pressure plate 103 by which the diaphragm is clamped securely against the stud 100 throu h the action of a nut 104 which. is threa ed over the threaded extension 101` and which engages against the outer surface, of the pressure plate 103. The inner portion of the stud 100 is reduced in diameter forming an inner approximately cylindricall tubular extension 105 which fits loosely over the valve stem 60 and snugly but slidably against the interior cylindrical wall 106 of the secondary casing, and which is provided with longitudinal external grooves 105 forming passages to permit of communication between the interior of the central portion of the secondary casing and the space inclosed between the cup and the diaphragm 95. This inner extension 105 acts as a guide to support the outer end of the valve stem 60 as the valve stem reciprocates. The valve. stem 60. may be held securely against rotation with respect toy the stud 100 by a pin 105 extending tightly through the stud and the stem.

To prevent the escape of steam or other Huid outwardly from the outlet compartment 26 of the main casing through the central aperture 76 of the secondary vcasing and through the diaphragm and outwardly into the atmosphere through the opening 102, in case of the accidental breaking of the diaphragm, the stud is enlarged as at 107 to form a secondary valve or emergency valve having a flat inwardly facing annular surface 107 co-axial with the valve stem 60 which is arranged to coperate with a Hat annular stationary valve seat 108, which surrounds and is spaced from the inner reduced extension of the stud 100, and which may be formed either integrally with the secondary casing 75 or as an annular bushing or removable valve seat 109 threaded into a suitably threaded recess provided therefor in the secondary casing, as shown. When the, main valve 35 iS in Gente@ With its; Seat 47, the secondary valve 107 is spaced slightly away from its seat 108 so as to permit communication between the opening 76 and the interior of the cup 90.

F or forcing the central portion of the diaphragm 95 outwardly against the pressure plate 103 to move the valve stem longitudinally outwardly to close the main valve 35, when the pressure in the outlet pipe 1e rises above a predetermined critical point, the interior of the cup 90 communicates with the outlet pipe 14 through a pipe 110 of comparatively small diameter, which is controlled by a globe valve 111 which may be opened or closed by means of a hand wheel 112, but which is normally left o-pen, so that the pressure upon the inner surface of the diaphragm is normally the same as the pressure in the outlet pipe 14;.

For forcing the central portion of the diaphragm inwardly to move the valve stem 60 longitudinally inwardly to open the main valve 35 when the pressure upon the inner surface of the diaphragm falls below the predetermined critical point, the outer end of the threaded extension 101 is covered by a cap or tip 115 pro-vided at its outer end with a countersunk substantially conical recess 116 coaxial therewith in which engages the conical inner end of a screw 117 which is arranged in longitudinal alinement with the valve stem 60. The cap or tip 115 normally projects freely through the opening 102 in the cupped cap 92. This screw 117 is threaded centrally through a yoke 118 and is held in any position of adjustment with respect to the yoke by a lock-nut 119, the outer end of the screw being preferably squared as at 120 to receive a wrench for adjusting the screw. Two spiral springs are arranged upon diametrically opposite sides of the secondary casing 75 with their longitudinal axes approximately parallel and spaced equally from the longitudinal axis of the valve stein 60 and in alinement with the flange 91 of the secondary casing. The inner ends of these springs are extended to form two eyes or hooks 126 which engage two diametrically opposed lugs or hooks 127, which preferably project outwardly from and are preferably integral with the flange 77 of the secondary casing 75. The outer portion of each of the spiral springs 125 is bent into a substantially conical outwardlytapering form as at 128 and terminates in a longitudinally rectangular end 129. Projecting outwardly from the inner end of each spring 125 and in axial alinement therewith is a bolt 130 provided with a conical head 131 which engages snugly in the conical end 128 of the spring and which is provided adjacent its head with a slightly enlarged squared ortion 132 which is snugly surrounded y the squared end 129 of the spring to prevent the rotation of the ,l spring with respect to the bolt. These bolts 130 pass respectively loosely through two diametrically opposed apertures 133, each of which extends through the flange 91, diaphragm 95 and flange 93, and the outer portions of these bolts pass respectively loosely through diametrically opposed apertures 134 provided therefor in the opposite ends of the yoke 118. The springs 125 are held adjustably under any desired initial state of tension by two nuts 135 which are threaded upon the outer ends of the two bolts 130 respectively and which are secured in place by two lock-nuts 136. The hooks or eyes 126 of the springs 125 are preferably arranged in planes parallel to the longitudinal axes of the springs and spaced inwardly therefrom su'liiciently to permit of the convenient insertion of the bolts into their operative positions in the springs.

It is thought that the operation of this improved reducing valve will be evident to those skilled in the art, from the foregoing description. As a brief summary, however, it may be stated that the pressure in the outlet pipe 14 is controlled by the adjustment of the initial tension upon the spiral springs 125 and this initial tension of each spring may be adjusted separately by means of cor responding nuts 135 and 136 or the initial tension mayv be adjusted simultaneously with respect to both springs by adjusting the screw 117. When for any reason the pressure in the outlet pipe 14 starts to rise above the critical pressure corresponding to a particular adjustment of the spiral springs 125, the pressure upon the inner surface of the diaphragm 95 will force the diaphragm outwardly against the inward pressure of the two springs acting through the screw 117, and will close or partially close the main valve 35 to prevent any appreciable rise in pressure in the exhaust pipe 14. When for any reason the pressure in the exhaust pipe 14 starts to fall below the critical pressure the pressure upon the inner surface of the diaphragm 95 consequently starts to fall, and the tension of the springs 125 then acts to open or increase the opening of the main valve 35 to restore the pressure in the outlet pipe 14 and to prevent it from falling appreciably below the critical pressure. ln case the diaphragm 95 should be accidentally broken, the pressure on the inner surface of the diaphragm would be relieved and the valve stem 60 would be immediately pressed inwardly thus closing the secondary valve 107 against its valve seat 108 thus preventing any escape of steam through the passage 76 and reducing the amount of steam which might escape in the atmosphere to the small amount which would pass through the small pipe 110, and this small pipe might be quickly closed in such a case by the operator by closing the valve 111.

Itis to be noted that the relief valve 18 is at all times in communication with the outlet pipe 14 and would act to relieve any excessive pressure in the outlet pipe 14, such as might be caused by thesudden opening of the main valvel 35 as a result of the breaking of the diaphragm 95 or which might be due to some other cause.

Although only a single form has been shown in which this invention may be embodied, it is understood that the invention is not limited to any specic construction but may be applied in various forms and for various purposes without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described thisv invention, I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of. the United States:

1. A reducing valve comprising a main casing, provided withk an inlet compartment and an outlet compartment, a main valve inclosed thereby, a secondary casing detachably connected to said main casing and providing a diaphragm chamber, and normally communicating with said main casing through said secondary casing when said main valve is in operation, a pipe through which said diaphragm chamber is normally maintained in continual communication with said outlet compartment, a valve stem coperating with said main valve, a diaphragm arranged in said diaphragm chamber and coperating with said valve stem to move said main valve in a given direction, means coperating with said valve stem to move said main valve in a direction opposite to said given direction, and a sec-p ondary valve coperating with said last mentioned means to control communication through said secondary casing between said main casing and said diaphragm chamber, and arranged to be closed as a result of the breaking of said diaphragm.

2. A reducing valve comprising a main casing, provided with an inlet compartment and an outlet compartment, a main valve in said casing, a secondary casing detachably connected to said main casing and providing a diaphragm chamber communicating with said outlet compartmentv through said secondary casing, a valve stem connected ytosaid main valve and projecting through said secondary casing and terminating in said diaphragm chamber, a diaphragm carried by said secondary casing and arranged'in said diaphragm chamber, a secondary valve in said diaphragm chamber and carried by said valve stem, and connected to said diaphragm to control communication between said diaphragm chamber and said outlet compartment through said secondary casing, and means coperating With said secmy hand this twenty-sixth day of January, ondary valve for moving said Valve against A. D., 1914. an opposing pressure in said diaphragm chamber and operative to close said second- LEROY M LEWIS' ary Valve upon the breaking of said dia- Witnesses: phragm. A. I. GARDNER,

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set ALEXANDER PARK.

Copies of this patent may 'ne obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

